Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Dual-chamber Pacemakers and Drug Therapy

Atrial Fibrillation Clinical Trial

Official title: A Multicenter Study to Investigate Preventive Pacing in Combination With Antiarrhythmic Beta-Blocker Oder AT-I-/ACE-inhibitor Therapy on the Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Dual-chamber Pacemakers

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Comparison of AF-Burden in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and the necessity of a Dual-Chamber-Pacemaker-Therapy either with a DDD[R]60-Stimulation or AF prevention pacing. All Patients were stratified according to their existing drug therapy, e.g. Beta-Blocker or ACE-Inhibitor.

Clinical Trial Description

Implantable pacemaker devices are available with specific atrial pacing algorithms designed to prevent atrial arrhythmias (Preventive stimulation). These algorithms work by increasing the atrial pacing rate to achieve continuous overdrive pacing or by responding to triggers such as premature atrial complexes.

Different investigation's showed that preventive atrial pacing was associated with a 30 to 50 % reduction in the risk of recurrence of AF, compared with no pacing. But a complete recurrence-free long-term effect is not reached.

A hybrid therapy consisting of a combination of preventive atrial stimulation and pharmacologic therapy maybe useful in restoring sinus rhythm. The HOPE-(Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation)-Trial showed a overwhelming evidence that, in a broad range of high-risk patients, an ACE-Inhibitor (Ramipril) prevents cardiovascular death, stroke, and heart failure. AF leads to an activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which seems to play an important role in atrial remodeling. Both experimental and clinical data have confirmed the pro-arrhythmic role of the RAS and demonstrated an anti-arrhythmic effect of ACE- and AT-I-Inhibitors. Madrid et al. showed that a combination of the AT-I-Inhibitor irbesartan plus amiodarone decreased the rate of AF recurrences, with a dose-dependent effect, in AF patients. ACE- and AT-I-Inhibitors represent new and efficient therapeutical options to contrast the nearly inevitable progression of this arrhythmia towards its permanent form. Beta-Blockers are a common pharmacologic therapy in AF patients.

The aim of the BACE-PACE-Trial is to investigate preventive pacing stimulation (PS) vs. standard DDD[R]-60-Stimulation (ST) in combination with antiarrhythmic Beta-Blocker or ACE-inhibitor therapy on the recurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients with dual-chamber pacemakers

The Responder (patients without AF recurrence, respectively with a significant reduction in AF burden) are compared to the standard stimulation. A clinically relevance meant a reduction in AF burden of more than 25 % (experts consensus). ;

Study Design

Time Perspective: Prospective

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Atrial Fibrillation

• NCT number: NCT00215761
• Study type: Observational
• Source: German Atrial Fibrillation Network
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: January 2005
• Completion date: December 2008